**Executive Summary**
On May 4, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the 56th Foundation Day of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), highlighting technology-driven innovation as the catalyst for India’s economic renaissance. The address focused on the strategic transition of science from "laboratories to markets" and the critical role of private sector participation in sectors like space and nuclear energy. Key initiatives mentioned to strengthen this ecosystem include the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the National Quantum Mission.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Policy Direction**
* Shift in focus from purely theoretical research to market-ready innovation that integrates scientific ideas with economic outcomes.
* Promotion of indigenous research across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, to reduce dependence on external technologies.
* Emphasis on a transparent, merit-based ecosystem to guide and encourage young scientific talent.
**Private Sector and Startup Growth**
* Opening of traditionally restricted sectors, such as space and nuclear energy, to private players to unlock new economic opportunities.
* Expansion of the national startup ecosystem from a few hundred entities a decade ago to over two lakh today.
* Surge in startup-led capabilities in satellite technologies, contributing to both national preparedness and economic growth.
**Institutional and Administrative Reforms**
* Implementation of ongoing administrative reforms to restructure legacy systems and increase decentralization in decision-making.
* Launch of major missions and funds, including the RDI Fund and the National Quantum Mission, to provide institutional support for innovation.
* Requirement for scientific institutions to prioritize visibility and outreach to attract partnerships and demonstrate societal impact.
**Global Standing and Collaboration**
* Recognition of India's improved global scientific standing through a growing share of highly cited research publications.
* Call for deeper collaboration between government, academia, and industry to ensure scientific progress is not isolated from market needs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Scientific Institutions and Academia**
**Impact**
Institutions are now expected to move beyond research and focus on technology development, commercialization, and public communication of their achievements.
**Action Required**
Actively engage with industry stakeholders and improve outreach efforts to attract partnerships and align research with present-day technological needs.
**Private Sector and Startups**
**Impact**
The opening of space and nuclear sectors provides a wider landscape for innovation, allowing private entities to contribute to national growth and preparedness.
**Action Required**
Leverage new policy decisions and institutional frameworks, such as the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, to scale innovation and develop market-impact technologies.
**Government and Policy Makers**
**Impact**
The government is tasked with managing a transition toward decentralization and the integration of research with economic policy.
**Action Required**
Continue implementing administrative reforms and provide sustained support for major initiatives like the National Quantum Mission to maintain global leadership.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary government department responsible for driving technology-driven innovation and integrating scientific research with economic outcomes.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation: A major initiative and institutional framework established to strengthen India’s science and innovation ecosystem.
National Quantum Mission: A key national initiative highlighted for its role in advancing emerging technology domains and scientific progress.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State for Science & Technology who outlined the policy shift towards private sector participation and 'laboratories to markets' innovation.
RDI Fund: A significant financial initiative mentioned for supporting research, development, and innovation to enhance India’s global scientific standing.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Technology-driven innovation is the key to India’s
economic renaissance: Union Minister Dr
Jitendra Singh
India’s Science Ecosystem Witnesses Transformational Shift
in the Last Decade, say Dr. Jitendra Singh
Private Sector Participation Unlocking New Opportunities in
Science and Technology: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Collaboration Between Government, Academia and Industry
Crucial for Scientific Progress: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 04 MAY 2026 5:00PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that the
technology-driven innovation pushed by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) in last one
decade is the key to India’s economic renaissance, with its contribution expanding from research to
industry, startups and national growth.
The Minister said science must now move “from laboratories to markets and from ideas to impact,”
reflecting a new policy direction that integrates research with economic outcomes.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the 56th Foundation Day of the Department of Science and Technology
at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Auditorium, New Delhi. The event was attended by
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Secretary, DST Prof.
Abhay Karandikar, along with leading scientists, academicians and members of the scientific fraternity.
The Minister said India’s science and technology landscape has undergone a decisive transformation over
the past decade, supported by policy decisions that opened sectors such as space and nuclear energy to
private participation. He said these steps have unlocked new opportunities for StartUps and industry,
enabling India to leverage its vast human resource and strengthen its position in the global innovation
ecosystem.
Referring to the rapid expansion of the space sector, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that within a few years of
opening it to private players, India is witnessing a surge in startup-driven innovation, with new capabilities
emerging in areas such as satellite technologies, contributing both to economic growth and national
preparedness. He added that similar momentum is building across emerging technology domains.The Minister said that no country can advance in science by remaining isolated from industry and the
private sector, and called for deeper collaboration across government, academia and industry. He also
stressed the importance of indigenous research, noting that India is increasingly developing its own
technologies across sectors, including critical areas such as pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s global scientific standing has also strengthened significantly, with a
growing share of highly cited research publications, reflecting both quality and impact. He pointed to the
expansion of India’s startup ecosystem, from a few hundred a decade ago to over two lakhs today, as
evidence of a rapidly maturing innovation landscape.
The Minister emphasised that scientific institutions must actively communicate their achievements and
engage with stakeholders, noting that visibility and outreach are essential to attract partnerships and ensure
wider societal impact. He said that while innovators must be encouraged, it is equally important to build a
transparent and merit-based ecosystem that guides young talent with clarity and realism.
He further referred to ongoing administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and aligning
institutions with present-day technological needs, including restructuring of legacy systems and greater
decentralisation in decision-making.
Earlier, Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood spoke about the need to align research with
technology development and commercialization, while Secretary DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar highlighted
major initiatives such as the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, RDI Fund and National Quantum
Mission to strengthen India’s science and innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that with sustained reforms, strong institutional frameworks and
active participation from all stakeholders, India’s science and technology ecosystem will play a defining
role in shaping the country’s economic growth and global leadership in the coming years.*****
NKR/AK/FT
(Release ID: 2257858) Visitor Counter : 458
Read this release in: Urdu , Marathi , ही , Gujarati , Telugu , Kannada